Chapter 39 — She Was Wrong About Herself

The next morning, Ritika woke up quietly.

Arnav was still asleep, so she got ready without disturbing him. She wore a simple saree, tied her hair neatly and stood before the small prayer space.

She folded her hands before Mahadev.

Ritika: Mahadev, give me strength. I don't know what the future holds, but please help me do what is right.

She closed her eyes for a moment and prayed silently.

After finishing her prayer, she went downstairs.

Everyone was gathered in the living room.

Ritika walked toward them.

Ritika: Maa, Papa, Phupi...

They all looked at her.

Ritika took a breath.

Ritika: I want to say something.

Shabana: What happened, beta?

Ritika: I want to apologise for slapping Arnav yesterday.

Her voice was sincere.

Ritika: I shouldn't have done that.

Abhram nodded gently.

Ritika: But... when he accused me of trying to separate him from his family, it hurt me very badly.

Her eyes became moist.

Ritika: And after what Khala said during the Muh Dikhai...

She paused.

Ritika: I started thinking that maybe she was right.

Rehnaa immediately interrupted.

Rehnaa: No, beta.

Ritika looked at her.

Rehnaa: Don't finish that sentence.

Ritika: Phupi...

Rehnaa gently held her hand.

Rehnaa: Safeena was wrong.

Ritika looked down.

Rehnaa: You don't have to prove that you deserve this family.

Shabana stepped closer.

Shabana: And you don't have to think that Arnav deserves someone else.

She gently touched Ritika's cheek.

Shabana: Arnav chose you.

Ritika's eyes filled with tears.

Shabana: We chose you because we saw the person you are—not your past, not your widowhood and not the fact that you have a child.

Abhram nodded.

Abhram: Beta, listen to me carefully.

Ritika looked at him.

Abhram: You are our daughter-in-law. Rishi is our family.

His voice was firm.

Abhram: Nobody's careless words can change that.

Rehnaa: And don't ever call Rishi baggage.

Ritika immediately shook her head.

Ritika: I don't, Phupi.

Rehnaa: Then don't call yourself baggage either.

Ritika's tears finally fell.

Shabana pulled her into a warm embrace.

Shabana: You are not a burden to Arnav.

Abhram: And you are not someone he settled for.

Rehnaa smiled.

Rehnaa: You are the woman he married.

Ritika closed her eyes as Shabana held her.

Ritika: Thank you.

Abhram smiled.

Abhram: Now wipe your tears.

He paused.

Abhram: Today you're going to your parents' house for Pag Phera.

Ritika smiled through her tears.

Ritika: Yes, Papa.

Rehnaa: And don't worry about yesterday anymore.

Ritika nodded.

For the first time that morning, she felt lighter.

She had apologised for her mistake.

And her new family had reminded her that she didn't need to apologise for her existence.